Apparatus for inserting terminals in an apertured plate

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for inserting terminals into a logic plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals including a screen adjacent the lower side of the plate to prevent the terminals from falling through the plate. The plate and screen are supported on a frame that is connected to a means for vibrating the frame. A means is connected beneath the screen for causing a greater atmospheric pressure above the plate than below it. As the frame is rapidly vibrated with sufficient amplitude to cause the terminals to stand on their ends, a vacuum means is applied beneath the plate to assist in drawing the terminals into the apertures.

United States Patent Petree June 6,1972

[72] lnventor: Edwyn H. Petree, Burlington, NC.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army [22] Filed: July 21,1970

[21] Appl.N0.: 56,867

[52] US. Cl ..29/203 V, 29/203 P, 29/DlG. 44, 29/DIG. 46 [51] Int. Cl. ..H05k 13/04 [58] Field of Search ..29/203 P, 203 V, DIG. 44, DIG. 46, 29/203 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,495 12/ 1962 Chase ..'.....29/203 P 3,299,502 1/ 1967 Wanesky ..29/203 V Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Charles K. Wright, Jr., William G. Gapcynski, Lawrence A. Neureithe'r, Leonard Flank, Jack W. Voigt and Charles R. Carter [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for inserting terminals into a logic plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals including a screen adjacent the lower side of the plate to prevent the terminals from falling through the plate. The plate and screen are supported on a frame that is connected to a means for vibrating the frame. A means is connected beneath the screen for causing a greater atmospheric pressure above the plate than below it. As the frame is rapidly vibrated with sufficient amplitude to cause the terminals to stand on their ends, a vacuum means is applied beneath the plate to assist in drawing the terminals into the apertures.

2 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure VACUUM MEANS PATENTEnJuu 6 I972 3.667, 103

VACUUM MEANS Edwyn H. Petree,

INVENTOR.

APPARATUS FOR INSERTING TERMINALS IN AN APERTURED PLATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of article handling. In manufacturing logic plates it is necessary to insert a large number of temiinals into the apertures of each plate. Previously, the terminals were loaded into the apertures by hand, requiring an excessive amount of time, generally 2 to 4 hours.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an apparatus to vibrate the plate vertically with sufficient amplitude to cause the terminals to stand on end. At the same time a vacuum is applied to the underside of the plate to draw the temiinals into the apertures of the plate.

The invention may be better understood from the following- 7 detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE shown in the drawing is a sectional perspective view of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT side of the plate to prevent the temiinals from falling through the plate as they are loaded therein. Frame 11 includes a ledge 13 to support the plate and screen in position and a duct 15 provides communication between a vacuum creating means 17 and the underside of the plate. The vacuum means creates a greater atmospheric pressure above the plate than below it thus aiding entry of the temlinals into the apertures. An arm 19 is attached to frame 11 and is operatively connected to vibrating means 21.

When the arm is vibrated with sufficient amplitude the terminals are caused to stand on their ends. By simultaneously applying a vacuum on the underside of the plate the terminals are drawn into the apertures.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for insertion of terminals in a plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals comprising:

means for supporting the plate, means for vibrating the supporting means to aid the insertion of terminals in the plate, and means for providing a differential pressure through the plate to further aid the insertion of the terminals in the plate.

2. An apparatus for insertion of terminals in a plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals comprising:

means for supporting the plate, means for vibrating the supporting means to aid the insertion of terminals in the plate, means for providing a differential pressure through the plate to further aid the insertion of the terminals in the plate, said supporting means including: an arm for engagement with said vibrating means; a ledge and a screen supported on said ledge adjacent the lower side of said plate to prevent passage of terminals therethrough. 

1. An apparatus for insertion of terminals in a plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals comprising: MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE PLATE, MEANS FOR VIBRATING THE SUPPORTING MEANS TO AID THE INSERTION OF TERMINALS IN THE PLATE, AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE THROUGH THE PLATE TO FURTHER AID THE INSERTION OF THE TERMINALS IN THE PLATE.
 2. An apparatus for insertion of terminals in a plate having a grid of apertures to enclose the terminals comprising: MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE PLATE, MEANS FOR VIBRATING THE SUPPORTING MEANS TO AID THE INSERTION OF TERMINALS IN THE PLATE, MEANS FOR PROVIDING A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE THROUGH THE PLATE TO FURTHER AID THE INSERTION OF THE TERMINALS IN THE PLATE, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING: AN ARM FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID VIBRATING MEANS; A LEDGE AND A SCREEN SUPPORTED ON SAID LEDGE ADJACENT THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID PLATE TO PREVENT PASSAGE OF TERMINALS THERETHROUGH. 